THE ARCANE SCHOOLS - Fort Myers Beach Masonic Lodge No. 362

The officers of a lodge are elected annually. In this country, the
election takes place on the festival of St. John the Evangelist, or at
the
meeting immediately previous; but, in this latter case, the duties of
the
offices do not commence until St. John's day, which may, therefore, be
considered as the beginning of the masonic year.
Dalcho lays down the rule, that "no Freemason chosen into any office
can
refuse to serve (unless he has before filled the same office), without
incurring the penalties established by the bye-laws." Undoubtedly a
lodge
may enact such a regulation, and affix any reasonable penalty; but I am
not aware of any ancient regulation which makes it incumbent on
subordinate lodges to do so.
If any of the subordinate officers, except the Master and Wardens, die,
or
be removed from office, during the year, the lodge may, under the
authority of a dispensation from the Grand Master, enter into an
election
to supply the vacancy. But in the case of the death or removal of the
Master or either of the Wardens, no election can be held to supply the
vacancy, even by dispensation, for reasons which will appear when I
come
to treat of those offices.
No officer can resign his office after he has been installed. Every
officer is elected for twelve months, and at his installation solemnly
promises to perform the duties of that office until the next regular
day
of election; and hence the lodge cannot permit him, by a resignation,
to
violate his obligation of office.
Another rule is, that every officer holds on to his office until his
successor has been installed. It is the installation, and not the
election, which puts an officer into possession; and the faithful
management of the affairs of Masonry requires, that between the
election
and installation of his successor, the predecessor shall not vacate the
office, but continue to discharge its duties.
An office can be vacated only by death, permanent removal from the
jurisdiction, or expulsion. Suspension does not vacate, but only
suspends
the performance of the duties of the office, which must then be
temporarily discharged by some other person, to be appointed from time
to
time; for, as soon as the suspended officer is restored, he resumes the
dignities and duties of his office.
Section II.